Tension device



` E. R. SWANSON June 1K2, 1928.

TENSION DEVI CE Filed Oct. l1. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet June 12, 1928.

- 1,673,214 E. R. SWANSON TENSION DEVICE Filed oct. 11. 1926 2 sheets-sheet 2 gw www t/Zfbzyze 9.

Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED rarest ori-fics.

ERNEST ROBERT SWANSON, OF CRANSTGN; RHODE SLAN), ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL WINDING COMPANY, OF BOSTON, IVASSACEUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSA- CHUSETTS.

TENSION DEVICE.

Application filed October 1,1, 1826.

This invention relates to improvements in tension-devices for use with winding machines and other textile apparatus.

A particular objectI of the invention is to provide a tension-device having means for automatically threading the strand of yarn, thread or other filament into operative position in the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension-device in which the operating parts are shielded and protected from lint, Vdirt and dust while yet being convenient of access for adjustment or cleaning.

Another object of thc invention is to provide a tension-device which is generally more efficient in use for the purpose intended.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a portion of a winding machine showing the present improved tension-device applied to use therewith;

I Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same illustrating only the essential elements ofthe winding mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the tension-device looking in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view looking in the opposite direction; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the strand-guiding par-ts of the device thrown back to provide access to the operating parts of the tension mechanism.

Referring first to Figs. '1 and 2 of the drawings, these views illustrate a conventional type of friction or drum-driven winding machine in which the cop, cone or package of yarn or other material is wound on a mandrel 2 and rotated through frictional contact with a driving-drum 3. The strand of yarn g/ or other material is traversed longitudinally of the mandrel 2 by means of a reciprocating thread-guide 4 carried on a horizontal traverse-bar or rod 5. The thread-guide 4 is provided with an eye or slot 6 through which the strand 1/ leads to the cop or package. and a stud or roller 8 carried at the bottom of the guide is engaged with a helical groove formed in the periphery of a cylindrical cam 9. rlhrough this semi no. 140,969.

latter connection the rot-ation of the cam 9 causes reciprocation of the thread-guide 4 to traverse the strand g/ from one end of the mandrel. 2 to the other to lay the yarn thereon in helical coils in the manner as well known to those versed in the art. The essential parts of the winding mechanism are herein illustrated merely to show the manner in which the tension-device, which forms the subject-matter of this application, functions in connection therewith. The parts of the winding mechanism are not herein described or shown in detail as they form no part of the present invention.

The present improved tension-device may he mounted on a suitable bracket 10 which, as herein illustrated, comprises an arm 11 fastened to a portion of the main frame 12 of the winding machine by means of bolts or screws 13. The bracketlOis provided with a horizontal shelf or ledge 15 projecting from the end of the arm 11 and forming the support for a vertical pin or spindle 16 on which thetension-members are mounted. As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, the top of the shelf or ledge 15 is formed with a circular boss .17 and the pin 16 is driven into a hole located at the center thereof. Surrounding the pin 16 is a saucer-shaped, sheet-metal lint-guard 18 which seats against the top of the boss 17 and is held lixedly in place thereon by a shoulder 19 on i the pin. y The fiar-ing peripheral riln of the lint-guard 18 projects upwardly within the outer downturned rim of the lower tensiondisk 21 with a slight clearance therebetween. Slidable on the enlarged upper portion of the pin 16 are a pair of tensiondisks 20 and 21 constructed with a cont-our of concavo-convex shape in cross-section. Preferably, the tension-disksjQO and 21 have flaring peripheral rims andtheir opposed faces are concaved at the center to provide a space Atllerebetween when the convexed outer portions of the disks are in Contact illustrated in the drawings. It will be observed that the tension-disks 2O and 21 are placed on the pin 16 in opposite relation to each other to adapt their convex surfaces to bear on the strand of yarn or vthread drawing therebetween, and suitable means are provided for pressing the disks together to cause them toresistthe passage of the strand, whereby to apply tension thereto.

As herein shown the tension-disks are pressed together by means of one or more weights 22 supported on a sleeve or holder 23 which slides on the pin 16, the holder" being provided with a shoulder or abutment 24 at its lower end upon which the weights 22 rest. A helical spring 25 encircling the pin 16 is interposed between the sliding weight-holder 23 and the upper tension-disk 20. The spring 25 acts as a buffer or shockabsorber to permit the upper tension-di sk to rise away from'the lower disk when knots y or enlargements pass through the device without overcoming the inertia of the weights 22. The upper end of the pin or spindle 16 is reduced in diameter at 26 to adaptit to receive a hub or bearing 27 forming the support for a. cylindrical shroud or vhood 28 which is supported thereby to cover the operating parts of the device. T he hood or shroud 28 enclosesthe tension-weights 22. weight-holder 23, springr 25 and a portion of the upper tension-disk 20, its lower edge bethereon.

ing spaced slightly above the bottom face of A the disk 20 so that it will not interfere with the passage of the strand between the disks. Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the -shelf or ledge, 15 of the bracket 10 is extended forwardly at the front of the tension-device where the strand i/ leads thereinto and is formedrwith a relatively narrow slit or reentrant threadway 29 through which the strand draws as it'feeds to the tension-disks. Referring particularly to Fig.' 2, the shelf 15 reaches outwardly Ain two opposite prongs or fingers 3() and 31, between which is the threadway 29, with the end of the fingers flaring away from the throat of the slit to provide an opening or: entrance thereto. One of the lingers 31 is extended upwardly in an arm 33 which crooks around in an inclined portion 34. The arm 33 forms one part of the improved strand-guiding means in the manner and for the' purpose ashereinafter more fully explained.

At one side of the tension-bracket 10 is a vertical post 35 which forms the support for a second movable guiding-member 36. The member 36 comprises a horizontal arm ou rim 37 which is of semi-circular shape in plan view, see Fig. 2, to adapt it to partly slightly raised above the top of the shelf 15.

Projecting upwardly from the rim 371s a curved, sickle-shaped finger 44 which entends in the opposite direction from that of the crooked portion 34 of they arm 33, slightly spaced rearwardly therefrom. The crook 34 and the curved linger 44 are arranged in this crossing relation to adapt the strand y/ to be drawn into the crotch formed therebetween, whereby it will be directed downwardly in under the rim 37 and carried into position between the two tension-disks 20 and 21 in the manner as hereinafter more fully explained.

T he main horizontal arm or rim 37 of the member 36 extends to the rear of the tensiondevice in a rectangular `portion45 which is joined to ythe hinge 38 at 46. This portion 45 of the rim 37 is offset at 47, see Fig. 2, to provide a recessed bearing 48 for the attachment of a-slug-catcher or yarn-cleaner comprising two blades 50 and 51, see Fig. 4. The two blades 50 and 51 are attached to the bearing .48 by means of a screw 52 which reaches through from rthe rear of the bearing and is threaded into an overlying plate 53 riveted to the front ofthe blade 50, sce Fig. 4. The blades 50 and 51 extend in horizontal position with their Vadjacent working edges` 54, 55 spaced slightlyapart as shown in Fig. 4. The opening between the working faces of the blades thus extends parallel with and in' alinement with the contacting faces of the tension-disks 20, 21 so that as the strand y feeds through the tension-device it willdraw through the slit or opening between the slug-catcher blades. Therefore, asvk the kthread-guide 4 of the winding mechanism reciprocates back and forth longitudinally of the cop or package being wound the strand jl/ will play back and forth in the slit or opening between the blades 50 and 51 to scrape off slugs, bunches, dirt and other impurities adhering to the yarn. Preferably, the blades 50 and 51 are made adjustable one in relation to the other to vary the width of the opening between their working faces inaccoidance with the size or thickness of the yarn being operated upon. `Conveniently, the lower V(blade 51L may have an enlarged hole 57 for the screw 52 to adapt it to be slid in relation to the upper blade 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the supporting parts of the blades 5() and-51 are fitted to a vertical slot 58 in the bearing 48 to maintain them in proper alinement in whatever position they may be adjusted.

Having now described a preferred form and construction of the invention, its method of operation will next be explained. -The strand gf of yarn, thread or other attenuated material is led up from its source of supply (not herein shown) and is threaded into the tension-device in the following manner: The operator simply draws it into the crotch between the divergent ends of the arms 34. and sta, see Fig. 2, while carrying the end forwardly to the winding machine. Nhen the machine is started to operate the strand 'i/ v will ybe caused to draw across the edge of the inclined arm t/in such manner as to direct it downwardly therealong and into the threadway 29. At the same time, the strand will follow along the curved arm to carry it beneath the bottom edge of the horizontal rim 23T ofthe member 36 to bringr it into alinement with the contacting faces ofthe tension-disks v and 21 whereby to lead the strand into place between said disks as indicated in Figsql and 2 of the drawings. It isV to be understood that as the strand y is drawn forward to the traverse-guide a and placed in the slot 6 thereof its end is attached to the winding-mandrel 2. In this way as ,the winding operation is started the strand jz/ will feed forward and be drawn in under the tension-device, either to clean the lint from the operating parts or to add to or subtract from the number of weights on the weightholder 23, or, in fact, for any other purpose, the main thread-guide member 36 is swung back on its pivot 39 in the manner Aas illustrated in Fig. 5. This removes the finger 41 from the top of the spindle 16 so that vthe hood or shroud 28 may be lifted olf therefrom to expose the tension-disks and their pressure means comprising the holder 23, weights 22 and spring 25. The parts of the tension-device are thus rendered convenient of arcessfor adjustment or cleaning.

It is to be Anoted that the tension-disks 20 and Il are adequately*protected from the accumulation of lint oi' dust particles due to the fact of their being covered over at'the top by the hood or shroud 28, while the lower disk 2l is protected from the bottom by the shield or guard 1S. prevented from clogging the bearings of the disks on the spindle or pin 1G or the action of the sliding weight-holder 23 so that these parts are maintained in proper working order overa long period of time without requiring cleaning. Y Moreover. it is to be noted that the shelf or base l5 which forms the main support for the tension-device is cut away at 59. see F1g-2, so that it presents .draw through the `tension-means,

Lint, diit and dust arev tween the blades 50, 5l so that the latter may I' lbe more readily cleaned of any lint or dust particles Awhich may have become lodged therein. This convenienceof access to the vslug-catcher thus provides for more thorough cleaning to insure the proper operation of ,this part of the device.

l It will be observed from the above that my invention f provides a particularly efficient tension-device in which the tension-members are shielded to protect them from becoming clogged with lint or dust. Another feature of the improvement resides in the means for automatically threading the. strand of yarn or other filament into the device. This guiding means insures the proper threading of the strand into place without care or attention on the part of the operator and guards against improper threading. Furthermore,

the provision for folding back or removing y the strand-guiding means from operative position permits freer access to the tensionmechanism to facilitate the cleaning of these parts and theI slug-catcher.

While I have herein described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the improved device it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of itsl parts without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

Therefore, withoutlimiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In a tension-device, the combination of tension-meansadapted to bear upon a strand of yarn or other filament to apply resistance vto its draft, a hood enclosing said tension- Ineans, and guiding-means extending 'circumferentially of the rim of the hood to adapt it to guide the strand into position to guiding-means adapted to be moved out of operative position to give free access to the tension-means. i

2. In a. tension-device, the combination of a. pair of tension-elements adapted to bear von a. ruiming yarn oi other filament to apply resistance to its draft, and a strand-guiding device normally arranged in position partly surrounding the tension-elements to direct the strand into place therebetween and mounted free to be shifted out of position to give access to the tension-elements.

t 3. In a tension-device, the combination of means for applying'tension to a running strand of yarn or other filament-drawing said loo

ilo

therethrough, and a guiding-device pivotally vmounted adjacent the tension-means and ka pair of tension-elements, meansl for applying pressure to the tension-ele1nents to cause Vthem to bear against a running strand of I 4 yarn or other filament to apply resistance to its draft, a strand-guide arranged adjacent the tension-eleinents partly surrounding the place therebetween, and means for hingedly mounting said guide to adapt it to'be swung .away from' the tension-elements to give access thereto. I f Y n 5. In atension-device, the combination of a bracket, a spindle4 supported from said bracket, a saucer-shaped lint-guard at thev bottom ofthe spindle, a pair of tension-disks i. 'mounted on the spindle above the lint-guard `with their peripheries overhanging the rim thereof, means for applying pressure to thev Vtensiondisks to cause them tol resist the draft of the strand passing therebetween,

and hood enclosing the pressure-means and surrounding the rim of the upper tension-disk. f v

.6, In a`tenson-device, the combination of a bracket provided with a. shelf,.a spindle projecting .upwardly from said shelf, tension-disks mountedon said spindle,' a fixed strand-guide extending upwardly from the shelf,and a movable strand-guide adapted to be held in position in spaced relationwith the top of the shelf and having a portion extending across the fixed guide to form a crotch to direct the strand downwardly into.V

place between the tension-disks.

7. In a tension-device, the combination o-f a horizontal shelf, a spindle projecting upwardly therefrom, tension-disks mounted on said spindle withl their faces in contact in a plane above the shelf, a threadway atthe side of the shelf for directing the strand of yarn or other filament between the tensionf` disks, a guiding-member projecting upY wardly from one side of the threadway, and a swinging guiding-member adapted to be moved ,into position above the shelf and` having an arm arranged to project across `the first guidingunembei whereby itacts vto guide the strand,downwardly between the members into the threadway and between the tension-disks.`

8. In a tension-device, the combination of a horizontal shelf formed with a vertical i threadway for a strand of yarn or thread, a

spindle projecting upwardly from the shelf,

tension-means mounted on said spindle, and

a stiandguiding device pivot-ally mounted adjacent the tension-means and provided with a circular rim extending circumferentially thereof and an arm projecting upwardly therefrom whereby to adapt it to` vswinging guide hinged at the side of said tension-means, said guide provided with a circular rim adapted to be set in position surrounding the tension-,device and having a curved arm reachingupwardly therefrom in latterto adapt it to direct the strand into strand ofv varn or other filament drawingV therebetween, a guiding-member pivoted to the bracket and having a circular rim adapted to be moved into position surrounding the tension-device, and a pair of blades carried by said guiding-device with their edges arranged yin spaced relation substantially in alinement with the under sidek of the circular rim of the guiding-device. i

11. In a tension-device, the combination of upper and lower tension-'disks adapted to bear against a strand drawing therebetween to apply tension thereto, and a saucer-shaped lint-guard supported beneath the `lower tension-disk with its rim arranged in close proximity to the under side of said disk.V

12, In a tension-device, the combination of a spindle, a pair of Vconcave-convex tension-disks mounted on the spindle with their'convex faces adapted to bear on the strand drawing therebetween, and a saucershaped lint-guard supported beneath the lower tension-disk with its .rim projecting upwardly within the downturned iim thereof toy shieldjthe bearings of the disks fromlint anddirt. Y

13. In a tension-device, the combination of a support, a pin projecting from said support a tension-disk mounted on the Apin to adapt it to bear against a strand of yarn drawing through the device, a" hood supported from the pin and enclosing the ERNEST sonner Swanson. 

